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The Presidio's Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center welcomed a new leader during a ceremony held here May 6.

Col. Danial D. Pick assumed responsibility when Col. Sue Ann Sandusky turned over command of the Center during a well-attended event held under sunny, blue skies.

Brig. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center - Leader Development and Education, officiated at the change-of-command ceremony.

During his remarks, Cardon noted that many milestones had been achieved during Sandusky's tenure, including awarding the 5,000th associates of arts degree, taking language training to operational units and improving language proficiency in the operating forces.

Cardon borrowed a Sandusky trait and told several of her African proverbs. He connected the one that says, "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; the second best time is now," with the work she began over two years ago by planting herself in the midst of the school to grow the language skills of the school and its graduates.

Cardon welcomed Pick and his wife to the command, challenging the new commandant to continue the good work Sandusky added to the rich history of DLIFLC.

In her final address to the community, Sandusky, an Army foreign area officer for Sub-Saharan Africa, thanked the mayors and communities for their strong support as well as recognizing the faculty and staff for the importance of the work they do every day.

After noting that Cardon had taken some of her best African proverbs she dug deep to share a French one: "Cross the river before you insult the crocodile," noting that it had no special meaning today, it was just one she liked.

Sandusky spoke a bit of German and then gave a lengthy message to the faculty in French. After the ceremony was over dozens of faculty, staff and students lined up to say farewell and wish her well as she returns to Africa, this time as senior military attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Liberia.

Pick commented that it was the third time in Monterey for him and his wife. He said he has seen it evolve from a language school for intelligence professionals into one that trains operators and special forces in addition to linguists. He promised to continue Sandusky's work and provide the students with the "language proficiency you need."

A graduate of the University of Washington, Pick entered active duty as a military intelligence officer. He became a Middle East Foreign Area Officer in 1996.

Pick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilization from the University of Washington, a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University at Quantico and a Master of Arts degree in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. He speaks Arabic, Persian-Farsi, Persian-Dari, and Assyrian.